Fresh Fiction Blog | Sarah Ballance: The Lure of Dark History in Romance

I'll be the first to admit a book set during the Salem witch trials doesn't exactly scream romance. For that matter, the setting doesn't even whimper romance—at least not at first glance. I mean, there were hangings and rotting jail cells and constant fear—not just of the evil that supposedly lurked among the people of Salem, but of being accused of so-called affliction and being sent to die. This fear was tangible. It lived and breathed among these people as if it were one of their own, and I admit my initial draw to Salem had a whole lot to do with its dark history.

And I felt guilty.

Separated by both time and distance, my interest in the Salem witch trials wasn't purely for entertainment value, but I have to admit the cinematic appeal was there. The events themselves are so absurd that it's hard to equate them with reality. How could something like this happen? It seems unfathomable, but history is sadly full of these atrocities. There's no doubt they exist, but do they belong in romance? The answer is a resounding yes, and here's why.

When I began researching the Salem witch trials for my Sins of Salem series, I was nearly two decades removed from my high school study of colonial America, wherein the events of Salem's 1692 witchcraft hysteria had been reduced to a mere footnote. I didn't really connect with the personal aspect, and I dare say I wasn't alone. Most of the "images" in our textbooks weren't real people, but shaded drawings. I'm a generation removed from today's "selfie" culture, but even to us old fogies, the line drawings didn't cut it. The events might have been real, but the people? They weren't mothers and fathers, daughters and sons. They were names. Nothing more.

Writing Salem changed that.

As I penned the first book in my series, HER WICKED SIN, my perception shifted. No longer did these events belong to the distant past. No more did they happen to anonymous people. As an author I spent countless hours living those dark days through my characters. I knew their fears and experienced their disbelief. When the accusations became horribly real and the threat loomed, my heart stumbled into a frightful, desperate cadence alongside theirs. I'll never step foot in 17^th century Salem, but in some small way I've been there and I've brought something back—something I hope my readers will also carry with them: the experience.

Salem's witch hunt is more than just a terrible event that tends to get a lot of play on the History Channel each October. It was a time in which people (or the lucky ones who survived) lived. They loved, they lost, they feared, and they had stories. Looking back, it was a relatively brief, terrifying period, but for those who were there, it was so much more. Not just death, but life. And through the pages of my new release, AN UNEXPECTED SIN, and the rest of the Sins of Salem series, I hope to connect readers to what's largely been left out of the history books.

To the romance.

Her Wicked Sin
Sins of Salem
#1

An Unexpected Sin
Sins of Salem
#2

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Comments

Wow, the book/blurb is awesome! I've always been fascinated by the witch trials in all countries & can't wait to check out your book.

Mindy :)
[email protected]
(Mina Gerhart 8:00am April 19, 2014)

I really connected to your posting in so many ways, and
really wanted to read your book in the worst way. However,
I don't have an e-reader, and am very disappointed that you
didn't give people a choice of print or e-copy. I'm so
fascinated with Salem myself, and remember those stories in
my textbooks with the shaded drawings. The teachers back
then just touched down on the subject, for some reason, then
moved on, as if it was taboo. I suppose that we had to get
older to learn some of these subjects on our own, and that's
why I got interested in topics such as this. The cover to
your book is beautifully done, and does your story justice,
too!! Congratulations on your series!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:46am April 19, 2014)

Good grief! You grabbed my attention. What a fabulous idea. A romance set in the middle of the witch trials. I love it. Sounds like a story that would keep you at the edge of your seat!
(Lisa Hutson 11:01am April 19, 2014)

I've read An Unexpected Sin (and left reviews) and would love
to read this one! Thanks!
(Linda Townsend 11:24am April 19, 2014)

@Mindy: Thank you! I'm so glad I'm not the only one lured by
the era. I hope you enjoy the book. :)

@Peggy: I hope the book will be available in print soon! In
the meantime you can read ebooks on your computer (on Amazon
just click "read now in the cloud" and it will show up in
your browser) and there are a number of free reading apps
available for other devices as well. As for Salem, isn't it
funny how so many of us had the same school experience? (And
a number of other topics as well, I'm sure.) I wish I'd
known back then how interesting history really is! Thank you
for your lovely comment.

@Lisa: Thank you so much. I'm thrilled the idea intrigues
you. :)

@Linda: I can't tell you how much I appreciate your reviews.
I hope you'll enjoy the first book as much as you did the
second!
(Sarah Ballance 12:34pm April 19, 2014)

Wow this sounds like a great series... thanks for sharing a bit about it with us!
(Colleen Conklin 1:34pm April 19, 2014)

Great perspective. Most history classes neglect the actually
people involved in historical events and how the event
affected them and their families.
(Glenda Martillotti 3:31pm April 19, 2014)

This historical novel sounds like one is really in old time Salem, living as a
member of the community & becoming acquainted with the hysteria &
heartbreak of the Salem Witch Trials. Adding romance to this time of terror is
sure to be a winner!
(Rachel Kerrinski 4:12pm April 19, 2014)

@Colleen: Thank YOU for visiting and commenting!

@Glenda: You are so very right. I don't think I would have
come to that conclusion without my foray into Salem, but
it's a valuable lesson. Thanks for commenting!

@L: Thank you for stopping in!

@Sheila: I'm so glad you think so! I hope if you have the
opportunity to read the series that you enjoy it. :)
(Sarah Ballance 5:06pm April 19, 2014)

I love books about this time in history. Will have to check
it out!
(Vicki Hancock 2:35am April 20, 2014)

I can see this being all kinds of interesting to read.
(Mary Preston 5:41am April 20, 2014)

This definitely sounds like a book I'd love to read. Thanks!
(Bonnie Capuano 8:39am April 20, 2014)

Love the blurb! I am most intrigued by your concept and can't wait to see the story unfold for myself!
(Kimberley Coover 11:32am April 20, 2014)

Sounds like a great book. I would like to read your vision of
the Salem Witch Trials.
(Denise Austin 1:16pm April 20, 2014)

The Salem Witch trials were always a part of history that facinated me.
Your book blurb makes me want to read.
(Cindy Olp 4:18pm April 20, 2014)

That sounds like it would be a fascinating story. It is definitely an interesting time period.
(Larena Hubble 11:57pm April 20, 2014)

And those trials weren't confined to Salem, but sprouted up
all over New England where ever there were folks jealous of
their neighbors' good fortunes. A number of men were also
accused. I think I would like fiction way more than the real
thing!
(Janet Martin 7:07pm April 21, 2014)

What an interesting premise. I've never read a romance set in
Salem for that specific reason and you've given all the
reasons why I should change my mind about it. Well done!! I'll
be given it a try ASAP.
(Joanna Moreno 11:57pm April 25, 2014)

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